Marengo man killed in crash outside Sycamore

SYCAMORE – A 37-year-old Marengo man died Friday morning after he lost control of his SUV on Route 64 west of Sycamore and slammed into a shuttle bus, police said.

Brian K. Hopper, of the 600 block of Francis Street, was pronounced dead at the scene, while Robert Wright, 53, of Williams, Ariz., was being treated Friday evening at Kishwaukee Community Hospital. A condition report for Wright was not available Friday about 5 p.m.

Hopper's 2005 Chevrolet Uplander was headed west on Route 64 near Motel Road about 11:20 a.m. Friday when it crossed the center line and collided with an oncoming shuttle bus, DeKalb County Sheriff Chief Deputy Gary Dumdie said.

The new 2013 Gillis shuttle bus, which had no passengers besides the driver, was headed toward Midway Airport, where it was destined to transport passengers around the airport campus, Dumdie said.

Authorities were investigating Friday what caused the accident, but Dumdie said wintery roads did not play a part. The road was clear and dry, he said.

Route 64 in that area reopened to traffic about 2:15 p.m. Friday, Dumdie said.